A-F grading system for schools up for consideration again

Some lawmakers in Lansing want to use an A through F grading system to rate schools in some categories.

This isn’t the first time an A through F system has been considered. Lawmakers say it’s an easy way to show how schools are doing.

But recently, the state adopted a system that shows a lot of details about each public school. A new bill would keep that system but include A through F grades for some things.

Brian Love is a parent from Detroit. He says parents need an easy way to determine if a school is good for their kids.

“Parents have enough going on in their world, enough drama if you will," said Love. "But parents need as much help as possible and one of the easiest ways is being able to help a parent identify what’s a good school and what’s a bad school.”

State Rep. Bill Sowerby, D-Clinton Twp., isn’t on board. He says there are other factors that can impact the school’s performance that aren’t reflected in a letter grade -- things like poverty and student home lives.

"I don’t know that we are talking about fair comparisons across the board between school districts if just using a single letter grade and not looking at all those other socioeconomic factors,” Sowerby said.

The bill would also require schools be ranked in certain areas from significantly above average to significantly below average. Supporters say this system would increase accountability in schools.